Self propelled irrigation system

ABSTRACT

An irrigation system includes an elongated water distribution pipe supported by wheeled supports and rotatable about a water supply source. The wheeled supports are driven by power derived from the rotation of the sprinkler heads. Means is provided for increasing or decreasing the speed of each sprinkler head to keep the pipe straight. Means is also provided for instantly disconnecting each carriage from the sprinkler head when desired.

O United States Patent [151 3,704,827 Moulton 1 Dec. 5, 1972 541 SELFPROPELLED IRRIGATION 3,556,405 1/1971 Harris etal ..239 177 SYSTEM3,583,428 6/1971 Cornelius ..239/212 x- 3,598,142 8/1971 Neier ..137/344[72] Invenwr' Somerset 3,653,400 4/1972 Coates ..137/344 [73] Assignee:Moulton Irrigation Company,

Somerset, Wis. Primary ExaminerLloyd L. King Assistant Examiner-Edwin D.Grant [22] Sept 1971 Attorney-Robert M. Dunning [2]] Appl. No.: 178,633

' [57] ABSTRACT 52 us. 01 ..239/177, 239/212 An irrigation systemincludes an elongated water 511 mu. ..B05b 3/00 tribution P supported ywheeled pp and [58] Field of Search ..239/177, 212, 213; 137/344rotatable about a water supply some- The wheeled supports are driven bypower derived from the rota- [56] References Cited tion of the sprinklerheads. Means is provided for increasing or decreasing the speed of eachsprinkler UNITED STATES PATENTS head to keep the pipe straight. Meansis'also provided 1 for instantly disconnecting each carriage from the3,314,608 4/1967 Clll'tlS et al ..239/177 Sprinkler head when desired3,381,894 5/1968 Purtell ..239/177 X 3,386,661 6/1968 Olson et al...239/177 11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED DEC 5 I973 SHEET 1 0F 3IN VENTOR DOA/1A6 5. MOULTON BY RWWENWQHIU ATTORNEY PATENTEDBEB 5 I972SHEET 2 OF 3 5 INVENTOR Two/was S. MOULTON E6. 6 12 BY W 'B S ORNEYPATENTEU DEC 5 I972 SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTOR THoMAs S. Mouu'o/v BY Q'ATTORNEY SELF PROPELLED IRRIGATION SYSTEM This invention relates to animprovement in self propelled irrigating systems, and deals particularlywith a structure having a central water supply source and a distributorpipe which is movable in a circular direction about the water supplysource.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a number of patents which havebeen issued on devices which include a central supply pipe about whichan elongated water distributing pipe may rotate. The water distributingpipe is supported on suitable wheeled support for rotation about itscentral axis. One of the problems involved with devices of this type liein the fact that they are of considerable length, and difficulty isexperienced in keeping the distribution pipe straight. in the firstplace, the wheeled supports which are near the center of rotation mustrotate at a relatively low speed, while the supports for the pipe whichare near the end thereof must travel at a considerably-higher speed.Furthermore, the travel of the supporting wheels over the ground variesto some extent with the contour of the surface. In other words, if thecenter portion of the distribution pipe must travel over a hill or adepression, the movement of the supporting wheels is out of normal ratiowith the rate of motion of other wheels.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,604,359 shows a self propelled sprinkling irrigatingapparatus of the general type in question. The patent contemplated thedifficulty experienced in maintaining the distribution pipe straightover uneven terrain, and attempted to provide means for regulating thespeed of each supporting wheel carriage in an attempt to maintain thedistribution pipe straight. This device comprised a rather complicatedsystem of drive mechanism including a cylinder and piston arrangementwhich functioned to drive a ratchet wheel. The springing of the pipe wasdesigned to control the speed of operation of the cylinder, andtherefore to maintain the distribution pipe in a relatively straightcondition.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,314,608 to Curtis et al. and issued Apr. 18, 1967 for aSuspension System Actuated Self Propelled Fluid Discharge Device shows aseries of wheeled support for the water distribution pipe in which thesupports were driven by rotating sprinkler arms pivotally supported onvertical axes. The rotation of the sprinkler arms acted through a gearreduction member to drive the drive wheels of each carriage at arelatively low speed. Here again, a relatively complicated truss orsuspension arrangement was provided for regulating the speed of rotationof the sprinkler arms in order to speed up or slow down the movement ofthe wheeled carriage. This included a supporting frame on the wheeledcarriage which extended well above the distribution pipe and from whichthe distribution pipe was partially suspended. When the distributionpipe moved relative to the supporting frame, means were provided forcontrolling the flow of water to the sprinkler arms to change the speedof operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in general, is designedto accomplish much the same results as were accomplished in the previousdevices. However, the applicants device is believed considerably lesscomplicated than those previously employed. An elongated arm ispivotally supported on the water distribution pipe in an area adjoiningeach wheeled support. The arm, being connected to the pipe at twolongitudinally spaced points stays in substantial alignment with theportion of the pipe to which it is secured and projects well beyondthese two points. As a result, the projecting portion of thedistribution pipe which adjoins the portion to which the arm is attachedmoves relative to the axis of the pipe when the pipe bends. Means arecontrolled by the arm for opening or closing a valve controlling theflow of fluid to the sprinkler pipes. When the distribution pipe flexesin one direction, the valve may be opened'to a greater extent to directmore water to the sprinkler arms, thus speeding up the rotation thereof,and driving the supporting wheeled carriage at a greater speed. On theother hand, if the pipe bends in the opposite direction relative to thecontrol end of the arm, the valve controlling the flow of fluid to thesprinkler arms is partially closed, slowing the speed of rotation of thesprinkler arms and accordingly slowing the speed of the supportingwheeled carriage. It is understood that the sprinkler arms are mountedupon a rotatable shaft connected to a gear box for driving the wheeledsupport.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a waterdistribution pipe of the type described having the elongated arm securedthereto and having an end projecting beyond the points of attachmentwith the pipe. A lever arm is pivotally supported to the pipe, andpivotally connected to the projecting end of the arm. The lever arm isconnected to a valve operating arm which rotates the stem of the valve.Pivotal movement of the lever arm thus actuates the valve operating arm,and opens the same depending upon the direction in which the pipe flexesor bends.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that thelever arm is connected to the pipe by a pivot which is relatively closeto the point of attachment between the lever arm and the fixed armconnected to the pipe. The valve operating lever is attached to thelever arm at a point much farther from the point of pivot of the leveram. As a result, a small movement of the end of the lever to which thefixed arm is attached is greatly multiplied at the other end of theother arm, so that a small deflection of the pipe will cause a noticablepivotal movement of the valve shaft.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of astructure described in which the assembly of the pipe is materiallysimplified. The trussing arrangement which has been used between thewheeled supports is relatively complicated while the trusses whichassist in supporting the pipe links of the present construction are muchmore simply applied. The arrangement is such that a short length of thepipe may bend more readily than the remainder thereof, and the controlis mounted on this bendable area.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of anovel and effective means for driving the gear box which moves thewheeled carriages along the ground. The water distribution pipe isconnected to the interior of a bearing supporting a partially hollowshaft through which water is transmitted to the sprinkler arms. The gearbox which drives the wheels of the wheeled supports or carriages isprovided with an 7 8 and exhibits the requisite kinetics of water vaporad- 8. A hemetically sealable container for providing sorptiona moisturefree environment for enclosing moisture enclosure for Providing amoisture-free sensitive equipment having at least some portion ofVifonmenl compl'lsmg a container for f environ its inner surface coatedwith a film of the dehumidifyment, having at least some portion of itsinner surface 5 ing compasition f claim L coated with a film of thedesiccant composition of claim 1.

Y 47 762100.901 coll/602 1011 a; r 1 a l.

the interior of which communicates with the interior of the pipe. Anipple 49 is threaded into the boss 47. A bushing 50 is threaded on theother end of the nipple 49 and is threaded into the body of a valve, thebody being indicated in general by the numeral 51. The valve itself isindicated in general by the numeral 52. The valve 52 includes a valveball 53 rotated by a stem 54 extending through a boss 55 in the valvebody 51. The stem 54 projects through the boss through suitable sealingmeans 56. Seals 57 are provided on opposite sides of the valve ball 53,and a passage 59 through the valve ball may be rotated into or out ofaxial alignment with the apertures through the seals 57 and the ends 60of the bushing 50 and an inwardly extending flange 61 in the valve body51.

A bushing 62 is threaded into the outlet end of the valve body 51opposite that into which the bushing 50 is threaded, and the bushing 62is connected by a nipple 63 to an elbow 64. As indicated in FIGS. 9 andof the drawings, the elbow 64 is threaded into a boss 65 extending intoa bearing member 66 which is indicated in detail in FIG. 9 of thedrawings.

The bearing member 66 includes an elongated sleevelike body 67 having apair of inwardly extending flanges 69 and 70 which are in spacedrelation. The flanges 69 and 70 divide the body 67 into an upper chamber71, a lower chamber 72, and an intermediate chamber 73. The upper andlower chambers 71 and 72 are designed to accommodate cylindrical bearingsleeves 74 and 74 having flanged outer ends 75 and 76. The bearingsleeves 74 and 74' fit into the ends of the body 67 freely enough sothat they can be readily removed. Sealing rings 77 and 79 are interposedbetween the ends of the bearings 74 and 74' and the adjoining flanges 69and 70 and seal against the outer surface of the shaft 42 which isrotatably supported therein. The shaft 42 will not become misalignedwith respect to the bearings 74 and 74' due to the fact that thebearings are loosely fitted and are supported freely enough so that theycan at all times be properly aligned.

The bronze bearings, which are of the oil impregnated orself-lubricating type are held in place by suitable menas such as springclips 80 (See FIG. 5) which are attached to the body 67 by screws 81 orother suitable means. The springs 80 have hook-shaped ends 82 whichengage the flange such as 75 of the adjoining bearing such as 74 to holdthe bearings in place. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit thequick assembly and diasssembly of the bearings without the use ofelaborate tools. It will be understood that water being pumped forirrigation purposes usually contains sand which has an abrasive effectupon the supporting bearings. The bearing sleeves are replaceable in anextremely short period of time by removing the sprinkler head andsliding the bearing sleeves 74 and 74- from the bearing 66 and replacingthese sleeves.

As indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, a T connection 83 is attached tothe upper end of the sprinkler head shaft 52 and sprinkler arms 84 arethreaded into opposite ends of the T 83. The curved ends 85 of thesprinkler arms 84 are arranged to direct water in a manner well known inthe art to cause rotation of the shaft 42.

As indicated in FIG. 9 of the drawings, while the lower portion of theshaft 42 may be solid, the upper portion is provided with a hollowpassage 86 extending therethrough. The portion of the shaft which iswithin the intermediate portion 73 of the bearing body 67 is providedwith angularly spaced openings'87, some of which may be arranged abovethe level of others. It will be noted that the boss 65 leads to theintermediatesection 73 of the valve body so that water may flow from thepipe 10 through the valve 52 and elbow 64 into the center portion 73 ofthe bearing. From here the water may flow through the apertures 87 andupwardly through the hollow portion of the shaft 42 to the T connection83 leading to the sprinkler arms 84. The flow of fluid is regulated bythe position of the valve ball 53 in the valve 52.

It will be noted that rotation of the sprinkler arm 84 will cause acorresponding rotation of the shaft 42. This movement is transmittedthrough the couplings 43, 45 to the input shaft 13.of the gear box 12.This causes rotation of the pulleys 24 and the wheels 20 and 21. Thewheels normally travel at a very low speed of rotation in order tothoroughly irrigate the entire area over which the pipe A is propelled.As shown in FIG. 2, a valve arm 89 is secured for rotation with thevalve stem and acts to more or less open the valve 52. Means is providedfor operating this arm 89 depending upon the deflection of the pipelength 10. It will be understood that the pipe lengths are long andnecessarily flexible to some extent. However, there is a maximum degreeto which the pipes may flex without causing damage.

As the irrigating apparatus necessarily travels over uneven ground, itis inevitable that one of the wheel carriages will move ahead of theother and the pipe will flex out of alignment. In order to compensatefor this flexing, the clamps 34 which connect the cables 32 to the pipeA terminate in spaced relation to the next adjoining wheeled support. Asa result, the portion of the pipe between the clamp 34 and the nextwheeled supporting carriage is much freer to flex than the remainder ofthe lengths of pipe, due to the fact that this area is unstayed. A rigidarm 90 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which comprise two outwardly bowed arm members 91are joined together at one end 92 and are secured by a pivot bolt suchas 93 to a boss 9374' on the pipe length 10. The arm sides 91 areconnected intermediate their ends by braces 94 and by an intermediatebrace 95. The brace 95 is pivotally connected at 96 to a boss 96 on thepipe length 10. Thus the deflection of the pivot 93 due to the bendingof the pipe length 10 causes the arm 90 to pivot about the intermediatepivot 96.

The arm sides 91 are connected at the opposite end of the arm and arepivotally connected at 97 to a lever arm 99 which is pivotally connectedto a boss 100 on the pipe length 10 at. the pivot 98. The distancebetween the pivots 97 and 98 is quite short. The other end of the armwhich is indicated by 101 includes a series of adjustment holes 102 towhich an adjustable connector 103 may be attached at a point relativelyfar from the pivot 98. The connector 103 is thus connected pivotally tothe arm 99 and is connected at 104 to the valve operating arm 89.

With this arrangement, it will be seen that a relatively smalldeflection of the arm 90 relative to the length of the pipe 10 will movethe arm end 101 to a much greater extent. As a result, deflection in thepipe 10 causes the lever arm 99 to pivot upon its axis 98 and to l06009Ol 42 The dehumidifier film or coat is strongly bonded to the materialof a container being dehydrated, so that no additional means oroperations are required for securing said dehumidifier composition insaid container.

The method of obtaining the present dehumidifying composition in theform of a film or coat comprises applying onto the inner surface ofcontainers a suspension containing 100 parts by weight of zeolite havinga humidity of 20-23 wt. percent, 45-280 parts by weight of athermosetting resin, 120 parts by weight of an organic solvent intendedfor dissolving said resin, -45 parts by weight of a suitableplasticizer, and 085 parts by weight of a curing agent.

The suspension applied onto the inner surface of a container ismaintained in the air at a temperature of from 5 to 80 C in order toremove the bulk of volatile components, followed by subjecting saidsuspension to heat treatment in vacuo at a residual pressure of notgreater than mm Hg and at a temperature of from 150 to 180 C. Said heattreatment removes the last traces of volatile components, brings aboutbinder polymerization and results in the formation of film or coat(layer) depending upon the amount of the suspension used, said film(coat) being characterized by a highly extended porous structure whichis adhesively bonded to the coated surface and provides for therequisite kinetics of water vapor adsorption. The porous structure of adehumidifying composition film is defined by the volume of primary poresin zeolite crystals and by the volume of secondary pores. The

volume of secondary pores depends primarily on the dispersity of zeolitecrystals and binder (resin) particles, as well as on the nature of thebinder used, and the type and density of zeolite crystal and binderparticle packing.

The volume of secondary pores in the range of equivalent radii of from291,000 to 31 A equals 0.044 cm lcm a significant portion of said volume(0.020 em /cm") being due to the pores in the equivalent radius range offrom 98 to 3l An essential feature of the present dehumidifyingcomposition is that it provides the possibility of controlling thekinetics of adsorption by varying the proportion of components of stocksuspensions, so that the present dehumidifying composition can be usedin devices and instruments of various types and sizes, the desiredkinetics of moisture adsorption inside a given device (instrument beingattained by selecting an appropriate ratio of suspension components. Ascompared to the known dehumidifying agents in the form of tablets orthickened silicone oil-based mixtures, the present dehumidifyingcomposition in the form of a film or coat occupies a very small volumeinside casings and has an insignificant weight. Said beneficialcharacteristics of the present dehumidifying composition make iteminently suited for use in conjunction with microminiaturizedelectronic instruments. The dehumidifying composition contained in aninstrument cas- The present dehumidifying composition is employedwithout resorting to mechanical means for securing said composition ininstrument (device) casings or to special-type equipment for introducingsaid composi tion into instrument (device) casings and is suitable forbeing introduced into casings (bulbs) of any shape or size at one andthe same production section, the latter feature being highlyadvantageous for the simultaneous production of diverse types ofsemiconductor instruments. It is expedient to use the presentdehumidifying composition irrespective of the scale or automation degreeof production processes or when the manufacture of instrument casingsand the assembly of finished semiconductor devices are carried out atdifferent plants.

It follows from the foregoing that the present dehumidifying compositionused in the form of a film or coat is commercially superior to the knowndehumidifiers.

The following examples are illustrative of the manner of carrying outthe invention but are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1.

One hundred parts by weight of Type Na zeolite A (moisture content, 25percent by weight; particle diameter, 4 me maximum) is mixed with partsby weight of epoxide resin (molecular weight, 370-450; epoxy groupcontent, 18 percent) dissolved in l27 parts by weight of an organicsolvent having the following composition, percent by weight: butylacetate, 10; cellosolve (C H -OCH CH OH), 8; acetone, 7; butanol, 15;ethanol, 10, and toluene, 50. Dubutyl phthalate (plasticizer) is addedto the stirred mixture in an amount of 5 parts by weight, followed byintroducing 10 parts by weight of polyethylene polyamine (curing agent).The resulting mixture is thoroughly mixed to obtain a homogeneoussuspension. The dehumidifying composition thus prepared is ready foruse.

Use is made of a buret, an atomizer or a syringe to apply thecomposition on the inner surface of instrument metal casings (bulbs)having a volume of 0.25 cm From 10 to 12 mg of said composition isintroduced in each bulb, followed by maintaining the bulbs with saidcomposition applied thereonto for a period of 10-20 hours in the air atambient temperature in order to remove the bulk of volatile components.Next the bulbs are placed in a vacuum drying cabinet, subjected togradual heating to a temperature of C at a residual pressure of 0.1 mmHg, and maintained at this temperature for a period of 3 hours. It ispertinent to gradually heat the composition in order to provide in theresultant film an access of zeolite micropores to the ambient atmosphereand to attain good adhesion of the film to the bulb surface. Theresultant film displays heat stability up to a temperature of 200C inthe air. The thus-treated bulbs are ready for use as sealing componentsof instruments or circuits.

Mechanical tests of the film under the conditions prescribed for testingtransistors enclosed in bulbs are indicative of the absence ofcrumbling, dusting or cracking phenomena.

The film obtained by the procedure described herein before is capable ofmaintaining in the hermetically sealed volume of the bulb a low relativehumidity in the temperature range of from 60 to +1 50C.

truss means on opposite sides of said pipe and extending from a pointadjacent to one of said wheeled supports to a point spaced from the nextwheeled support, providing a relatively short untrussed portion adjacenteach wheeled support,

a connection between each sprinkler head and said pipe including avalve,

means actuated by the flexing of said untrussed area adjoining eachwheeled support for controlling said valve.

11. A sprinkler and irrigation system including a distributing pipepivotally connected to a central water supply source for movementcircularly about said source, and wheeled supports disposed at intervalsalong said pipe, and sprinkler heads rotatably supported on verticalaxes adjoining each of said wheeled supports, the system including:

an elongated arm pivotally connected to said pipe adjoining each wheeledsupport, said arm being connected to said pipe at two spaced points onparallel pivots,

a lever pivoted to said pipe intermediate its ends adjoining an end ofeach of said arms,

means pivotally connecting each said lever to one end of its adjacentarm in spaced relation to said two spaced points,

a passage from said pipe to each said sprinkler head, including a valverotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of said pivot connections,

means connecting the other end of each said lever to an adjoining valvefor pivoting the same.

1. In combination with an irrigation system including a central watersource and a water distribution pipe pivotally connected thereto andextending generally radially therefrom, a series of wheeled supports atspaced intervals along said pipe supporting the same, a sprinkler headhaving a sprinkler shaft rotatably supported adjoining each said wheeledsupport, the system including: a bearing slideably and rotatablysupporting each sprinkler head shaft for rotation about a generallyvertical axis, a gear box means connected to the wheels of each saidwheeled support for rotating said wheels, a coupler on said gear boxmeans and on said sprinkler head shaft, whereby said gear box means andsprinkler head shaft may be disconnected by axial movement of saidsprinkler head shaft.
 2. The system of claim 1 and including valve meansinterposed between said pipe and each said sprinkler head, and meanscontrolling said valve means.
 3. The structure of claim 1 and in whichsaid bearing includes a bearing sleeve including bearing sleevesextending into opposite ends, and a central manifold portion betweensaid bearing sleeves connected to said pipe, said sprinkler head shafthaving a tubular upper end connected to said manifold portion byapertures.
 4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said bearing sleevesfit loosely in said bearing sleeve, whereby self-alignment of thebearing sleeves is effected.
 5. The structure of claim 4 and includingsealing rings in said bearing sleeve encircling said sprinkler headshaft on opposite sides of said central manifold portion.
 6. A sprinklerand irrigation system including a central water supply source and a pipepivotally connected thereto for pivotal movement thereabout, wheeledsupports secured to said pipe at intervals for supporting the same, anda sprinkler head pivotally supported on a generally vertical axisadjoining each wheeled support, the system including an apparatus forkeeping the pipe straight including: a connection between said pipe andeach said sprinkler head including a valve, an elongated arm pivotallyconnected to said pipe on generally vertical pivots secured to one endof said arm and an intermediate point on said arm, a lever pivotallysecured intermediate its ends to said pipe on a pivot parallel to saidpreviously described pivots, means connecting one end of said lever tothe other end of said arm, a valve operating lever on said valve foropening and closing the same, means connecting the other end of saidlever to valve operating lever, whereby when said pipe bendsintermediate said vertical pivots, said arm pivots said lever and actsto actuate said valve operating lever.
 7. The structure of claim 6 andin which said lever is pivotally connected to said pipe at a point closeto its pivotal connection with said arm, relative to its pivotalconnection with said valve operating lever.
 8. The structure of claim 6and in which said valve is a pivotal ball valve.
 9. The structure ofclaim 6 and including a switch connected to said valve operating leverand operable thereby.
 10. A sprinkler and irrigation system including acentral water supply source and a pipe pivotally connected thereto forpivotal movement about said source, a series of wheeled supports atspaced intervals along said pipe supporting the same, a sprinkler headhaving a sprinkler head shaft rotatably supported adjoining each of saidwheeled supports, the system including: truss means on opposite sides ofsaid pipe and extending from a point adjacent to one of said wheeledsupports to a point spaced from the next wheeled support, providing arelatively short untrussed portion adjacent each wheeled support, aconnection between each sprinkler head and saiD pipe including a valve,means actuated by the flexing of said untrussed area adjoining eachwheeled support for controlling said valve.
 11. A sprinkler andirrigation system including a distributing pipe pivotally connected to acentral water supply source for movement circularly about said source,and wheeled supports disposed at intervals along said pipe, andsprinkler heads rotatably supported on vertical axes adjoining each ofsaid wheeled supports, the system including: an elongated arm pivotallyconnected to said pipe adjoining each wheeled support, said arm beingconnected to said pipe at two spaced points on parallel pivots, a leverpivoted to said pipe intermediate its ends adjoining an end of each ofsaid arms, means pivotally connecting each said lever to one end of itsadjacent arm in spaced relation to said two spaced points, a passagefrom said pipe to each said sprinkler head, including a valve rotatableabout an axis parallel to the axes of said pivot connections, meansconnecting the other end of each said lever to an adjoining valve forpivoting the same.